Number of families struggling continues to grow in Ohio

The number of Ohio families struggling to make ends meet despite being employed continues to
grow as more parents are working for lower wages and fewer hours, says the State of Poverty 2012
unveiled today.

More than 42 percent of Ohioans with incomes below the federal poverty level had either
full-time or part-time jobs in 2011, according to the report..

The assessment by the Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies is packed with statistics
showing how poverty continues to have a tight grip on Ohio. Still, advocates for the poor say they
expect the hard-times faced by many to begin to improve.

“I’m optimistic,” said Philip E. Cole, executive director of the association. “There’s an
uptick in manufacturing in the state and the great potential of (jobs from) Utica shale. We need to
make sure we coordinate with these companies who will need skilled workers so we get people trained
for the jobs.”

In addition to jobs, ensuring educational opportunities for all Ohioans is key.

“Education is so important to getting out of poverty. We have to make sure college tuition is
affordable,” Cole said.

“I think when we look at these numbers two years from now, we will see a turnaround.”

The annual report on poverty was released just days before Gov. John Kasich unveils his
two-year state budget plan.

“I think we’re on the same page,” said Kasich spokesman Rob Nichols.

“We were in a deep, deep hole and now we are up 120,000 jobs, but have a long way to go. This
budget, like the last budget, will be all about getting people back to work...when people have
jobs, housing becomes more affordable and transportation more manageable. You’ve got to get people
back to work.”

Nichols declined to provide details, but Kasich’s budget also will include a new
school-funding plan and possibly an expansion of Medicaid, the state’s health-insurance program for
the poor and disabled, which would provide coverage to more working poor.

Still, the report showed that nearly 16.4 percent of Ohioans have incomes below the federal
poverty level – about $23,000 a year for a family of four. Among the sobering statistics:

-The number of Ohioans living in poverty would fill Ohio State University football stadium
more than 17 times.

-More than a third of Ohioans have household incomes below the amount they need to meet basic
needs like rent and food.

-1 in 4 Ohio households’ savings, retirement accounts and other assets add up to fewer than
three months’ living expenses.

She and her husband, who works in a factory building palettes, can no longer count on working
40 hours a week, making it difficult to care for their family of six children and hard to come up
with money for unexpected expenses like car repairs.

“Unless you come from money and have a college degree you are going to run into money
problems.”